What’s Included in the 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT Appearance Package?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Every consumer is unique. Car manufacturers know this and aim to appeal to as many of them as possible by offering different options, trims, and appearance packages, along with high-end special and limited editions of their models. In these ways, manufacturers give consumers a variety of choices not just among models but within them.

Hyundai is, of course, no exception to this trend. The company has now introduced a new XRT appearance package for the 2022 Santa Fe with a particular type of consumer in mind. 

The XRT adds to the Hyundai Santa Fe SEL Convenience Package

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe with the XRT Appearance Package | Hyundai Motor America

The Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the manufacturer’s most popular SUVs. The new XRT Appearance Package adds several additional features to an SEL trim level model equipped with Convenience Package.

The Santa Fe SEL with the Convenience Package includes safety features such as Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, which automatically detects certain threats in the blind spot zone and helps maneuver the car to avoid them. Similarly, with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, which activates when you’re in reverse at low speed, this Santa Fe package can help alert you to possible collision dangers that you might otherwise have missed.

Also standard on the SEL trim level with Convenience Package is dual automatic temperature control, wireless device charging, Hyundai Digital Key, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and manual rear side sunshades. Side mirrors with LED turn signal indicators are also standard with this package. 

The Santa Fe XRT Appearance Package goes rugged

Building on all of the above, Hyundai recently announced the addition of a new, rugged Santa Fe XRT model with a “bold, new look for enthusiasts.” With this build, the manufacturer aims to distinguish the XRT from standard Santa Fe models and is marketing the vehicle particularly for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy off-roading adventures. 

In addition to XRT-exclusive 18-inch dark alloy wheels, the XRT Appearance Package focuses on other special dark exterior elements. These include front and rear black lower bumper fascia molding, dark silver front and rear skid plates, and XRT-exclusive black door side moldings. A matte-black grille, black mirror covers, black roof side rails, cross rails, and XRT-exclusive side steps complete the look. 

You’ll want to keep in mind that all of the elements included in this XRT Appearance Package are not actually about off-roading. They’re mainly about giving the appearance of off-roading (although the side steps come in handy for shorter drivers or passengers). Appearance matters, of course, but we wouldn’t want your expectations for performance to be out of line with what this vehicle’s actually equipped to do.

What’s the cost of the XRT Appearance Package?

A 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe starts in the neighborhood of $27,000, making it a somewhat more affordable SUV. The SEL, which is the trim level that the XRT package is built off, starts at a base price of $29,000. Meanwhile, the suggested retail for a 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe model with the XRT Appearance Package goes for an MSRP of $32,300. 

Additionally, there’s what’s known as the Limited trim. Even more high-end than the XRT option, this Santa Fe comes with a much more significant price tag of $38,960 and includes larger, 19-inch wheels, as well as additional safety features. 

Choosing the right trim can be a complicated business. You always want to ensure you get the features you need while avoiding paying for those you don’t. Hyundai has certainly given its customers options for choosing just the right Santa Fe for their needs and desires. 

RELATED: The 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz Trim Levels Explained

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2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing vs. 2019 Cadillac CTS-V: What’s the Difference?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Just like the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is the true ATS-V successor, the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing is the heir to another sporty Caddy. In this case, the Cadillac CTS-V. And just like the CT4-V Blackwing, the CT5-V version borrows a few things from its predecessor’s toolbox. But how much does the new car improve on the old?

Is the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing as fast as the 2019 Cadillac CTS-V?

2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing front 3/4 | Cadillac
Spec 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing 2019 Cadillac CTS-V
Engine 6.2-liter supercharged V8 6.2-liter supercharged V8
Power 668 hp 640 hp
Torque 659 lb-ft 630 lb-ft
Transmission Six-speed manual
10-speed automatic (optional)		 Eight-speed automatic
0-60 mph time 3.6 seconds (manual)
3.4 seconds (automatic)		 3.8 seconds (Car and Driver)
Curb weight 4,123 lbs (manual) [The Drive]
4,142 lbs (automatic) [The Drive]		 4,168 lbs (Car and Driver)

The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing offers similar specs to the third-gen Cadillac CTS-V for a reason. Both cars use the same ‘LT4’ V8, though the Blackwing’s version has a new intake, supercharger, and intercooler. They also ride on the same Alpha platform. The CT5-V Blackwing, though, is slightly smaller and lighter, yet it has a longer wheelbase, Road & Track notes.

Unlike the Cadillac CTS-V, there’s no wagon version of the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing. Admittedly, the third-gen 2016-2019 CTS-V wasn’t available as a wagon, either. Nor was it available as a coupe, again, something its predecessors offered. In terms of body styles, then, the old car and new car are equal. The Blackwing, though, only offers one wheel size, for reasons that we’ll discuss shortly.

A brown 2019 Cadillac CTS-V Pedestal Edition on a mountainside road
2019 Cadillac CTS-V Pedestal Edition | Cadillac

However, the 2019 Cadillac CTS-V and the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing do have one critical performance difference: their transmission. Although the first two CTS-Vs offered a stick, the third-gen model is automatic-only. And while automatics are generally faster these days, having a manual sets the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing apart from its predecessor and rivals like the BMW M5. Plus, even with the stick, it’s faster than the 2019 CTS-V, making it a performance win-win. Little wonder that 62% of CT5-V Blackwing customers ordered the manual, R&T says.

The 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing has better tech inside and outside than the last Cadillac CTS-V

While the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing inherits a few things from the last-gen Cadillac CTS-V, the new sedan benefits from technology’s constant march. As such, the Blackwing improves on the CTS-V in several areas.

Like the 2019 CTS-V, the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing has standard magnetorheological ‘MagneRide’ dampers. However, they’re now in their fourth generation, so they react and adjust even faster. The standard Performance Traction Management system is also upgraded. And it’s now so effective that even the development drivers keep it on to set the fastest lap times, Car and Driver says.

Oh, and remember how the new car only has one wheel size? That’s because going bigger would require fitting tires with shorter sidewalls, thus losing compliance. And that would take away not just the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing’s ride quality, but also its grip, steering, and handling capabilities, The Drive explains. In short, all the things that make it more “refined and talkative at the limit” than the third-gen Cadillac CTS-V, Hagerty notes.

The black-and-tan-upholstered front seats and dashboard of a 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing with a manual
2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing front interior | Cadillac

Like the 2019 Cadillac CTS-V, the 2022 CT5-V Blackwing has standard Brembo brakes. However, they’re even bigger than the outgoing car’s brakes, making them the biggest fitted to any production Cadillac. Also, unlike the 2019 car, the Blackwing has optional carbon-ceramic brakes. Plus, its new cooling upgrades mean it doesn’t need a hood-extractor vent like the CTS-V. And in addition to an extra strut-tower brace, the CT5-V Blackwing also offers additional carbon-fiber aero add-ons, such as a rear diffuser, rear wing, and front splitter.

But the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing doesn’t just improve on the old car outside. It has a larger and clearer center touchscreen and better materials, The Drive says. The Blackwing’s interior quality isn’t quite “BMW good, [but] it’s far better than it was in the old CTS-V,” R&T reports.

The new car is even “more potent” than its predecessor, MotorTrend says

Despite the upgrades, the 2022 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing costs slightly less than the 2019 CTS-V. When it was new, the 2019 CTS-V started at roughly $88.5K, Car and Driver reports. The Blackwing, though, starts at $84,990. Though to be fair, like its predecessor, the new car can easily eclipse the $100,000 mark.

Nevertheless, the “’Son of Cadzilla,’” as MotorTrend dubbed the CT5-V Blackwing, is arguably an evolution of the CTS-V. But it’s also more engaging and more fun than the 2019 car. On paper, it seems to be a subtle improvement. Yet in reality, the Blackwing is a significant step ahead.

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RELATED: Does This Record-Breaking Cadillac CTS-V Wagon Predict New Collector Market?

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A Badly Placed Pigeon Caused a Motorcyclist to Crash Into a Tree

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Car accidents can happen out of nowhere. Whether driving a car or riding a motorcycle, an ordinary ride can turn on a dime. Sometimes, it’s due to driver error, and there are many things that you can do to help mitigate those types of accidents. Utilizing safety and driver assistance features, paying attention, and getting rid of distractions can help prevent many accidents. However, sometimes an accident is unavoidable when something so out of the ordinary happens that there’s no accounting for it. That’s what happened to a motorcyclist when a pigeon caused a freak accident.

A pigeon caused a terrible motorcycle accident

A pair of pigeons in a tree | DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP via Getty Images

According to Visor Down, the motorcyclist in question, Matthew Brealy, was out for a ride on his Suzuki GSX-R1000 near Chesterfield, U.K., in April 2011. He was doing everything right: wearing a helmet, obeying the speed limit, and riding safely. Then a low-flying pigeon hit his helmet.

The impact knocked Brealy unconscious. In his unconscious state, Brealy opened up the throttle on his motorcycle and increased his speed from 50 mph to 140 mph. Amazingly, Brealy continued down the road for another 200 yards, unconscious the whole time. 

At 140 mph, Brealy crashed into an oak tree. His injuries included two skull fractures, bleeding in his brain, cracked ribs, a fractured hand, and a broken leg. Brealy only hit the oak tree with a glancing blow, so his injuries could have been much worse had he not been thrown clear upon impact. His motorcycle, meanwhile, was totaled on impact.

The pigeon that hit Brealy’s visor even shattered the lenses of his glasses underneath. Police said that the pigeon caused the accident, and nothing was Brealy’s fault. All in all, it was a freak accident, according to Drummond Law Firm.

Brealy has a long recovery ahead of him

Matthew Brealy spent 10 weeks in the hospital after the motorcycle accident. He had to have surgeries to re-wire his hand, and a titanium rod was inserted into his leg. Due to his injuries, Brealy had to relearn how to walk. His wife, Emma, was pregnant at the time and helped him to recover. 

Even after his release from the hospital, Brealy faced a long recovery ahead of him. However, that he is alive to recover is an amazing thing. It’s a strange thing that it’s all because of a low-flying pigeon.

Learn how to protect yourself when driving a motorcycle

If you’re a motorcyclist or want to learn how to ride, you need to know how to keep yourself safe. Some things are pretty self-explanatory and are universal in all types of driving. Stay focused and alert, don’t drive or ride with distractions, be aware of the surrounding traffic, don’t drive or ride tired, leave room between yourself and other riders, and give yourself a little room between vehicles at stoplights and intersections.

Make sure to have proper safety gear, too. In some states, it’s not illegal to ride a motorcycle without a helmet. However, whatever the legality of wearing a helmet is, you should be wearing one regardless. Do some research on helmets, and be sure to choose the right one. Additionally, always ride with the visor down for a little more protection.

The most important thing you can do to prevent injury from a bird strike or large insect is to wear a full-face helmet. Birds and larger insects are unpredictable, and there’s nothing that you can do to change what they are going to do, but you can take some steps to protect yourself. 

A freak accident like Brealy’s could still be possible if the right conditions are met, but a motorcyclist can help mitigate the risk by wearing the right gear. Even a large grasshopper can cause a black eye, and small birds can cause fractures at speeds as low as 40 mph, so wear a full-face helmet every time you ride.

RELATED: Your Motorcycle Clutch Cable Could Use an Adjustment

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A New Infrastructure Bill Will Track Your Travel Habits

by Gabrielle DeSantis

President Joe Biden has just legitimized the shift to EV power with his new infrastructure bill. The bill aims for EVs to make up for half of all new car sales in 2030. Frankly, it’s a much-needed step towards electrification and a massive push towards modernizing our country’s infrastructure. However, there’s a little test for American drivers tacked onto the bill, buried deep within its 2,000-odd pages. The test will track how much you drive and potentially impose a new per-mile tax.

Biden’s infrastructure bill pushes EVs to the front

Joe Biden promoting his infrastructure bill | Alex Wong via Getty Images

First, let’s talk a little bit about that infrastructure bill. Frankly, it’s something we need. Range anxiety is very much still a thing for many EV owners, especially for those living outside of major urban areas. Now, the bill aims to directly combat that by shifting some of America’s resources to the increased adoption of electric vehicles. However, these things, rather obviously, cost money. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it wasn’t built for free either (technically it kinda was, slave labor and all that).

So, what exactly is this test? Essentially, it requires the Department of Transportation to test whether or not taxing drivers based on how many miles they travel will be feasible, per the Washington Times. Critically, the test is broad enough to encompass a range of vehicles, from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks. Unfortunately, the wording there is rather vague in a classically legalese way. No word yet on if that includes semitrucks.

London calling

A Ford odometer reading nearly 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars could be taxed more | Robert Daemmrich via Getty Images

Moreover, when all is said and done about three years from now, the bill requires that heads of the DOT must go and report the findings of the test to Congress. Obviously, Americans are notoriously anti-taxation. Hell, our whole country was founded on those principles of lower taxes for the common (white, landowning) man. Now, this new bill will come crashing into conflict with that. Something I imagine the general populous might not be happy about.

And it’s a fair criticism. America is a vast, sprawling country. Not everyone’s commute is a thirty-second walk to their desk from bed. Steve Milloy, a member of the Trump administration’s EPA team said the tax will penalize those rural inhabitants. Frankly, he’s absolutely right. So, the test is already controversial, to say the least. However, there are some benefits here. States like Colorado are already exploring similar programs, much like ones found in the UK.

Charging networks have to expand

Tesla models charging in China
We don’t have enough EV chargers | Li Shengli via Getty Images

Like many things political, there’s probably a common ground to be found here. Obviously, the tax, should it be levied, ought not to heavily tax those in rural areas with longer commutes. Those people are just trying to get to work, same as the rest of us. However, the money to fund our country’s EV integration has to come from somewhere, and it had better come soon, as the climate crisis worsens by the day. No matter the outcome, you can be sure to hear about it here.

RELATED: Los Angeles has a … Peculiar approach to speed limits

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